Plenty is brewing Aug. 29-30

Wednesday

Aug 27, 2014 at 3:15 AM

PORTLAND - The fourth annual Portland Brew Festival is set for Aug. 29- 30, and event organizers promise more brewers, additional activities and expanded food options. The 2014 event, which returns to the Portland Company Complex at 58 Fore Street in Portland, will feature more than 40 brewers with more than 120 brew products along with home brewing equipment, a Maine Brewers Guild fundraiser, and more. Owner and producer Mak Sprague says the event continues to grow, and a new system eliminates the need for drink tickets.As always, the festival will spotlight established and up-and-coming breweries throughout New England. New participants this year include Brewery Ommegang from Cooperstown, N.Y.; Branded Horn Brewery from Biddeford, Maine; and Bantam Cider from Somerville, Mass. Favorites returning to the PBF include DL Geary and Gritty McDuff's from Portland, Maine; Old Burnside from East Hartford, Conn.; and Smuttynose Brewing from Hampton, N.H.In addition to commercial brewing operations, home brewing clubs and retailers will be at the event to introduce attendees to the increasingly popular hobby of home brewing. Sprague will once again display the impressive tractor-powered cidering equipment he built with his father. An expanded array of local food vendors also will be on hand, including lobster rolls from Mainely Bartenders, pizza from Pizza-Pie-on-the-Fly, and Mexican fare from Hella Good Tacos, all of which pair well with beer.

Attendees will receive a signature tasting glass with the Portland Brew Festival logo and will have the opportunity to purchase additional glasses along with T-shirts, posters and other festival-branded merchandise. Designated Driver/No Alcohol tickets will be available for just $5 each. These attendees will not receive the sampling glass but can take advantage of the demonstrations and presentations.As always, the event will feature traditional scheduled sessions, each with a limited admission that will allow guests the time and space to peruse the purveyors, interact with the experts, and hone their tasting techniques. The first session is scheduled for Friday, August 29, 5:30-9 p.m., a fantastic way to kick off Labor Day weekend. Additional sessions are scheduled for Saturday, August 30, from 12:30-4 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m. Tickets/info: $40 each at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-portland-brew-festival-tickets-10148754197, www.portlandbrewfestival.com.

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